If I told you today that God wanted you to let go of every plan you have ever made for your life and to simply trust Him, would you? Would you let go of your dreams? Would you let go of what you think is right for you? Would you let go of what you love?
In 2014 I remember coming across a picture of Jesus and a little girl. The girl was holding on tight to a small teddy bear that she had drawn close to. In the picture Jesus has one of his hands held out and the other is behind his back with a bigger teddy bear awaiting the girl once she hands over her small teddy bear. The text in the picture says “Just Trust Me. I Have Better For You!” (look at the picture on the left). This is the picture that comes to my mind when I think about how stubborn we may sometimes be with God when He wants us to let go of something.
In 2014 I remember coming across a picture of Jesus and a little girl. The girl was holding on tight to a small teddy bear that she had drawn close to. In the picture Jesus has one of his hands held out and the other is behind his back with a bigger teddy bear awaiting the girl once she hands over her small teddy bear. The text in the picture says “Just Trust Me. I Have Better For You!” (look at the picture on the left). This is the picture that comes to my mind when I think about how stubborn we may sometimes be with God when He wants us to let go of something.
How many times have you been like the little girl in that picture? Holding on tight to something and not letting go because you are scared and the thoughts in your mind keep telling you that you can’t let go because if you do you will lose everything, if you do, you may not be able to recover, etc. I believe that now that we have entered into the last half of the year God will need you to let go of a lot of things you do not want to let go of. People in your life, old habits that may have worked for you in the past, time given to things of this world yet minimized for God, etc.
In Genesis 22 I am always amazed when I read about how Abraham took his only son Isaac whom he loved and was willing to sacrifice him as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham was willing to let go of what he loved. Since Abraham was willing to make such a sacrifice for God by letting go of something he truly loved, in turn an angel of the Lord called out to Abraham and stopped him from sacrificing his son but instead asked him to sacrifice a ram as his burnt offering. Although Abraham never actually had to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering, it was due to his willingness to let go that the Lord was able to show him that no matter what, He will always provide. As you continue to read along further throughout Genesis 22 in verses 15-18 you will see how Abraham was blessed:
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
In Genesis 22 I am always amazed when I read about how Abraham took his only son Isaac whom he loved and was willing to sacrifice him as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham was willing to let go of what he loved. Since Abraham was willing to make such a sacrifice for God by letting go of something he truly loved, in turn an angel of the Lord called out to Abraham and stopped him from sacrificing his son but instead asked him to sacrifice a ram as his burnt offering. Although Abraham never actually had to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering, it was due to his willingness to let go that the Lord was able to show him that no matter what, He will always provide. As you continue to read along further throughout Genesis 22 in verses 15-18 you will see how Abraham was blessed:
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Letting go is about no longer withholding but instead surrendering to God so that He may liberate your spirit and break away the restrictions/limitations that you have unknowingly began placing around your life from trying to handle or control things on your own. It is about relinquishing your own will and feeling the warmth of Gods caress as you begin to naturally de-stress. Letting go is trust in its most purest form once you’ve opened up to embrace God completely and you don’t know what to expect or what may come next but you know that you’re secure and safe as long as you are in God’s arms.
A few years ago I got into a car with my friend along with a few of her friends after we were leaving a bible study service at One Church LA. In the middle of our conversation in the car, I found myself completely zoning out when I heard a song by Steffany Gretzinger. I was captivated by the words in the song and I could feel them resonating with my spirit as I was empowered to freely let go and solely depend on God. To anyone reading this blog, I would like for you to take a moment and listen to Steffany Gretzinger’s song “Letting Go” (click the youtube video below).
I once heard someone state that "the ear catches about 200 overtones and frequencies per minute but the mind can catch a thousand, so there are things that are spoken and when you hear it, it goes into your ear but some of it drops into your spirit and it is then stored and later on comes back."
Cancel out everything around you and truly own this moment as 1 on 1 time strictly between you and God while you are listening to the song. Close your eyes, soak in the words, and allow the words to resonate deep within your spirit. Begin to meditate and reflect on what it is that God wants you to let go of now that you have officially entered into the last half of the year.
A few years ago I got into a car with my friend along with a few of her friends after we were leaving a bible study service at One Church LA. In the middle of our conversation in the car, I found myself completely zoning out when I heard a song by Steffany Gretzinger. I was captivated by the words in the song and I could feel them resonating with my spirit as I was empowered to freely let go and solely depend on God. To anyone reading this blog, I would like for you to take a moment and listen to Steffany Gretzinger’s song “Letting Go” (click the youtube video below).
I once heard someone state that "the ear catches about 200 overtones and frequencies per minute but the mind can catch a thousand, so there are things that are spoken and when you hear it, it goes into your ear but some of it drops into your spirit and it is then stored and later on comes back."
Cancel out everything around you and truly own this moment as 1 on 1 time strictly between you and God while you are listening to the song. Close your eyes, soak in the words, and allow the words to resonate deep within your spirit. Begin to meditate and reflect on what it is that God wants you to let go of now that you have officially entered into the last half of the year.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your relentless love. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for desiring to have an authentic relationship with us God. Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for protecting and keeping us. Thank you for providing even when we may complain or take what you have provided us with for granted. We magnify your Holy name. Glory be to you forever God.
Now that we have entered into the last half of 2016 we pray for renewal. Renew our minds, renew our hearts, renew our spirits, renew our genuine passion, hunger, and thirst for you God. Cleanse us completely and forgive us for anything that we may have previously done that has been unpleasing to you. Begin to place us in alignment with your will God and let your hand always remain over our lives. Bless us and keep us out of harm's way (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV).
We pray for strength to let go freely. Teach us how to solely depend on you God allowing your love to invade and captivate our lives: despite our fears that may come, despite our doubts or disbeliefs that may temporarily surface when we cannot see or understand your plans, despite our situations, despite our flaws, despite our past, despite ourselves Lord. Let us begin to place you above all things throughout this last half of the year and let go. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your relentless love. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for desiring to have an authentic relationship with us God. Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for protecting and keeping us. Thank you for providing even when we may complain or take what you have provided us with for granted. We magnify your Holy name. Glory be to you forever God.
Now that we have entered into the last half of 2016 we pray for renewal. Renew our minds, renew our hearts, renew our spirits, renew our genuine passion, hunger, and thirst for you God. Cleanse us completely and forgive us for anything that we may have previously done that has been unpleasing to you. Begin to place us in alignment with your will God and let your hand always remain over our lives. Bless us and keep us out of harm's way (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV).
We pray for strength to let go freely. Teach us how to solely depend on you God allowing your love to invade and captivate our lives: despite our fears that may come, despite our doubts or disbeliefs that may temporarily surface when we cannot see or understand your plans, despite our situations, despite our flaws, despite our past, despite ourselves Lord. Let us begin to place you above all things throughout this last half of the year and let go. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.